Green Transportation Lesson: Emissions Data
Lesson Plan
50 minutesGrades3, 4, 5Mathematics
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Written by Lindsey Pockl, Amber Medina
About this lesson
In this lesson, students compare and contrast emissions from different modes of transportation and explore the concept of transportation planning.
Inquire: Students analyze a bar graph of carbon dioxide emissions by different modes of transportation and calculate the most environmentally conscious modes of travel based on emissions.
Investigate: Students analyze commuter survey results of the top concerns with public transportation and complete real-world math problems based on different transportation scenarios, calculating the difference in carbon emission outputs.
Inspire: Students learn about transportation planners and watch a video about Hong Kong’s transit system.
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Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Suggestions
- This lesson builds upon students’ understanding of place in the world and the impact of individual lifestyle choices.
- This lesson features relevant real-world math problems and offers career path integration in the sector of transportation planning and transit.
- Students creatively brainstorm solutions for real-world issues and civil concerns.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 2 of 6 in our 3rd-5th grade Green Transportation unit.
- Students should know how to read a bar graph and have a basic understanding of interpreting data.
- If students do not have background knowledge of their community’s public transportation systems, they should be appropriately introduced to the basics of how buses, metros, and railways work.
- The graph in the Inquire section uses the unit CO2e to measure emissions from different modes of transportation. CO2e stands for carbon dioxide equivalent, which is the measure of the impact of all greenhouse gases in terms of the amount of CO2 that would create the same amount of warming. For the purpose of this lesson and the age of the learners, it is probably best to just use the terms “carbon dioxide” and “CO2.”
Differentiation
- There can be number-set choices for math problems available for different abilities and skill sets.
- Students can work in pairs or small groups.
From the scientist review
This lesson asks students to investigate the amount of carbon emitted by different forms of transportation. The numbers used for the calculations are backed by peer-reviewed science, and the methodologies come from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This lesson has passed our scientific review process.
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About the teacher writers
Lindsey Pockl
Lindsey worked with SubjectToClimate to develop accompanying materials for lesson plans for grades 3-12.
Amber Medina
Elementary School Teacher
Amber is a third grade elementary school teacher who has taught ELA, Environmental Education, and SEL. With a degree in Environmental Policy and Planning, her passion for environmental justice and action integrated curriculum led her to her commitment to climate education.
